Macpherson hails government’s commitment to Edinburgh schools

Local MSP Ben Macpherson has welcomed latest figures on teacher numbers. 

SNP Government education funding has boosted teacher numbers across Edinburgh – part of an increase of 543 teachers across Scotland – as part of the Scottish Government’s commitment to education.

Teacher numbers in Edinburgh have risen from 3,213 to 3,281, in the last year  – while the number across Scotland has increased substantially to 51,513. That’s 543 more than last year, with 666 full-time equivalent teachers funded through the Attainment Scotland Fund, money that the Tories, Labour and the Lib Dems voted against.

There has also been an improvement in pupil-teacher ratios across Scotland, while skills in reading, writing, listening, talking and numeracy are strong – with the proportion of S3 pupils achieving Curriculum for Excellence Third Level or better between 88% and 91% for each skillset.

SNP MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith, Ben Macpherson said: “These figures prove that the SNP Government’s approach is making a positive difference in schools across Edinburgh and throughout Scotland. 

“Despite Tory, Labour and Lib Dem opposition, the SNP has delivered strategic funding aimed at increasing teacher numbers and cutting the attainment gap – and this is already making a difference.

“We now have 68 more teachers in Edinburgh than we did this time last year, and an additional 543 across Scotland. With this record of delivery, it is no surprise that pupils are performing strongly across reading, writing, listening, talking and numeracy.

“The SNP has made closing the attainment gap a key priority – and these latest statistics show that the Scottish Government’s initiatives are delivering meaningful progress on this, with 666 full-time equivalent teachers across Scotland funded by the Attainment Scotland Fund. 

“Of course, there are still challenges and that’s why it’s important that we don’t get complacent and keep working to improve education in Scotland – but given the clear progress that’s been made, it would be good to see the Tories, Labour and the Lib Dems drop their political opposition and get behind our positive efforts to support young people across Edinburgh and Scotland.”